UK slaps sanctions on Russians linked to Wagner PMC in Africa

The UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation reported this in a statement.

Great Britain has imposed sanctions against Ivan Maslov, the head of the Wagner PMC in Mali, Andrei Mandel, Mikhail Potepkin, and Al-Solag Mining Company Ltd, Meroe Gold, and M-Invest in Sudan.

In addition, the list includes two individuals associated with Wagner's activities in South Africa, namely Mikhail Potepkin and Andrei Mandel.

In addition, the UK Ministry of Foreign Affairs imposed sanctions in the Central African Republic against Alexander Ivanov, Alexander Maloletko, Vitali Perfilev, Konstantin Pikalov, Dmitry Sytii and LOBAYE INVEST SARLU, SYTII and Sewa Security Services, all of whom are connected to the activities of the Russian private military company Wagner in the country.

It is specified that the restrictions include asset freezes and a ban on entry to the UK.

What we known about Wagner Group’s actvities in Africa

Following the mutiny of Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in late June, the Kremlin announced the relocation of mercenaries to Belarus.

On June 27, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko confirmed the arrival of Yevgeny Prigozhin in the country. According to him, the Wagner soldiers who arrived with him will not guard the Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed there. However, Lukashenko stressed that he expects the mercenaries to help in the defence of Belarus. However, the dictator did not specify from whom Belarus intended to defend itself.

On June 29, military expert Mikhail Samus said that Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko could use Wagner soldiers for projects in Africa, but they would not threaten Ukraine.

On July 5, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló to discuss the destructive influence of the Wagner forces in Africa.  

On July 6, hundreds of Wagner soldiers left the Central African Republic on two planes and flew to Moscow, Jeune Afrique wrote.

On July 16, UK intelligence reported that the Russian Federation may be ready to support the Wagner PMC's ambitions for a wider presence in Africa.

On July 17, hundreds of Wagner PMC fighters had arrived in the Central African Republic for rotation.